IMPACT OF INDOMIE PLC EFFLUENTS ON SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN NEW CALABAR RIVER FISH

Abstract

The effect of effluent from indomie Food Company in Choba, PortHacourt in Niger Delta part of Nigeria on the biochemical parameters of Talapia fish from New Calabar River was studied. To achieve this, parameters like potassium ion (K+) concentration, chloride ion (CL-) concentration, sodium ion (Na+) concentration, urea concentration and creatinine concentration in the blood, gills, liver and muscles of the fish were measured. The entire river was divided into four (4) stations during the collection of fish samples. Station 1: the non-point source which serves as control. Station 2: the point source where indomie waste is discharge d into the water; station 3: 10m upstream from the source; station 4: 10m downstream from the source.  The results of the analysis show that: in the blood, K+ level in fish from the point source was higher than those from other stations and this increase is statistically significant. Cl- did not differ significantly between station 1 and 3, station 2 and 4. Urea level was significantly high at station 2 compared to station 1, 3, and 4. Na+ showed a significant difference at station 4 and 2 compared to station 1and 3. At the gill, a similar trend was observed for K+, urea, creatinine, Na+ while Cl-has no significant change (p<0.05). Urea was significantly high at station 4 and 2 as compared to station 1and 3. At the liver, no significant change was seen in Cl- for all the stations. Urea was significantly high in station 2 when compared to the values from the other stations. At the muscle, K+ level was slightly higher at station 2. Cl- level was significantly higher at station 4. Urea level was higher at station 4. Na+ level was significantly higher in station 2. This research revealed an adverse effect of the indomie effluent on the Tilapia fish in New Calabar River